IT'S payback time for offenders in Brent.

The aptly named Community Payback scheme, launched by the Mayor of Brent, Councillor Harshadbhai B Patel, on Wednesday (July 18) will see offenders working in the borough tackling graffiti, litter and other environmental nuisances.

Brent Council, the police and the probation service have all joined forces in a new approach to rehabilitate offenders serving community orders.

Councillor Harshadbhai B Patel said: "Community Payback is a first-class scheme that enables offenders to give back to the community by engaging in positive projects that contribute to the local environment and improve people's quality of life.

"It is a real example of the council, the police and the probation service working together for the benefit of our residents."

For projects to qualify for the scheme, they must be able to occupy between ten and 16 offenders for up to six hours a day. The work is supervised and unpaid.

Julie Dent, chair of the London Probation Board, said: "This is an excellent example of a scheme benefiting both local communities and offenders.

"It helps make communities cleaner and safer for residents and helps offenders put something back into the areas in which they live, as well as seeking to rehabilitate them and prevent re-offending."